Chen Ming awoke in a bed kissed by moonlight, his limbs tangled in silver-scented sheets. Beside him, Ye Yue slept soundly, her silver-white hair fanned across his chest like a silken river. Her body, divine and delicate, pressed gently against him, still faintly glowing from their union.
For a long moment, he simply watched her. Her features were softer in sleep—free of her usual serene authority. She looked… human. Almost heartbreakingly so.
He exhaled slowly, trying to wrap his head around the surreal reality.
I actually did it, he thought. I passed her trial. I seduced a goddess.
A soft chime flickered at the edge of his awareness.
[Lunar Link: Active][Affection Boost: +5% per day proximity][Bonded Partner Bonus: Ye Yue's Passive Grace buff applied – Reflex +5%, Spirit +5%]
He chuckled under his breath. "Waking up next to a literal goddess. Not bad, Chen Ming. Not bad at all."
But before he could reach for her or nuzzle into the warm curve of her neck, a harsher tone cut through the serenity.
[Emergency Mission Alert – IRL]Location: Downtown District, Mortality SectorMission: Meet prospective job recruiterReward: Unknown (???)
Chen blinked groggily. "Wait, I thought I was done with job hunting. Isn't divine responsibility my full-time gig now?"
[Not all jobs are mundane, Host. Some opportunities are… divinely engineered.]
He sighed, slipping carefully out of the sheets to avoid waking Ye Yue. She stirred slightly but didn't rouse, only murmuring something soft in a language older than time.
Chen dressed quickly. The system's alerts didn't wait for cuddles.
Meanwhile, in the Mortal Realm…
A sleek black car pulled up in front of a high-rise tower of chrome and glass. Its passenger stepped out slowly—heels clicking like gunshots on the pavement.
She was tall, commanding, with crimson hair coiled in a braid that hinted at wildness restrained. A black pencil skirt hugged her hips with lethal precision. The crimson blouse she wore was cut low enough to turn heads, yet fitted like armor. She wore glasses she didn't need. She wore confidence like a sword.
Mortals didn't know her name.
But the divine did.
Emberia, Goddess of War and Heat.
"Ms. Emberia," murmured her flustered mortal assistant, trailing behind with a clipboard he was definitely not looking at. "The candidate's here. Room three."
Her lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. "Excellent. Time to see what kind of man dares court a goddess."
Interview Room 3
Chen Ming sat upright at a sleek glass table in a room that looked like any corporate interview space—except maybe too perfect. The walls were spotless. The air smelled faintly of citrus and danger.
He tugged at his collar.
Then the door opened—and the world tilted.
She stepped in like a promise and a threat. Her presence was flame wrapped in silk. Legs like columns of carved obsidian. Hair like molten copper. And eyes—crimson and knowing—that locked onto his with amused appraisal.
"Mr. Chen Ming?" she asked, her voice smooth, laced with authority. "I'm Ms. Emberia. I'll be evaluating your… qualifications."
Chen blinked. "For what job exactly?"
She said nothing at first, only placed a slim folder on the table. Then, her red-tinted lips parted into a smile that was anything but corporate.
"You're being considered for a special program. Performance-based. Demanding. Highly… intimate."
Chen's system buzzed.
[LUST: 41% → 69% – Rapid Increase Detected][WARNING: High-Level Divine Being Present][Category: Combat-Class Goddess – Affinity: Lust/Heat]
He narrowed his eyes. "You're not just a recruiter."
She laughed—low, sultry, dangerous.
"Sharp. Good. Then let's drop the pretense."
With a flick of her fingers, the room shimmered. Illusion fell away. Runes ignited across the walls—war symbols, flame glyphs, combat sigils humming with ancient power.
Emberia stepped closer. Her pupils glowed faint red.
"I'm Emberia. War Goddess. Flameborn. And I'm here to test you—not just as a candidate, but as a rival for divine power."
[Trial of Fire – Initiated]Objective: Survive Emberia's Seduction CombatRules: No retreat. No premature climax. Dominance determines outcome.Reward: Skill Unlock – Flame Bind (Passive)
She moved without warning—sudden, fluid, and hot as a wildfire.
In a blink, she was in his lap, straddling him, her breath a furnace against his skin.
"Impress me," she whispered at his ear, nails tracing his jawline, "or I'll burn you where you sit."
Chen smirked, hands moving to her waist.
"You want heat?" he murmured. "Let's raise the temperature."
[Skill Activated – Erotic Aura: Flare Mode][Effectiveness: Doubled within one meter of target]
The air between them shimmered. Emberia shuddered faintly, her pupils dilating.
"Well," she breathed, "aren't you full of surprises."
She grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the chair, hips grinding against him in a rhythm just shy of indecent.
[Desire Clash – Engaged][Dominance Meter: 52% Emberia | 48% Chen Ming]
Chen gritted his teeth. She was a furnace—but he'd endured moonlight. He had divine union in his blood now.
"I've already survived the Moon Goddess," he growled. "Think you can outshine her?"
Her expression flickered—from smug to challenged.
"Oh, I know I can."
And then she kissed him—hard. Her lips burned. Her tongue demanded. But Chen matched her fire with his own, refusing to yield an inch.
[Outcome: Unresolved – Mutual Escalation][System Alert – Divine Council Intervention Detected][Trial Paused – Temporary Lockout][Reward: Skill Fragment Earned – Flame Bind (Tier 1)]
She pulled away slowly, eyes hazy but still hungry.
"You're fun," she said, licking her lips. "This was just the warm-up, darling."
She stood, adjusted her skirt, and tossed her braid over her shoulder.
"I'll see you again soon. Try not to melt before then."
Chen sat there for a moment, breathless, disheveled, still very much aroused.
"Was that… a job interview or a softcore divine ambush?"
[System Update: Goddess #2 – Contact Established]Name: Emberia – Goddess of War and HeatAffection: 12% | Desire: 45%Bond Status: In Progress (Antagonistic Flirtation)
He exhaled.
"Well. So much for taking a break."